Goodell Backs Investigation Into Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Medical Care

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

Commissioner Roger Goodell says league protocols were followed in Jalen Hurts blood clot case as Eagles QB lands on injured reserve for rest of season.

NFL welcomes NFLPA investigation Over Jalen Hurts blood clot case...

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has welcomed an investigation sought by the players' union into the medical treatment received by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for blood clots.

Goodell, speaking after an NFL owners' meeting in New York on Wednesday, said the league's chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills has reviewed the measures taken regarding Hurts and noted that the NFL Players Association has the right to make such a request under the collective bargaining agreement.

“We welcome that,” Goodell said. “That's part of our processes. That's fine. Our chief medical officer has been through the procotols that were followed so we welcome that if that's what they do. They have that right.”

The Eagles quarterback was placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss the remainder of the season after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs following an earlier clot found in his left calf.

Hurts, who led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory over Kansas City last season, reported the injury to the team's medical staff after being stepped on during a practice session in London.

Although he was initially diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf, he was cleared to feature against Jacksonville in London before returning home, where further tests revealed blood clots in his lungs.

“I'm not sure how much international travel had to do with this,” Goodell said. “That's maybe for medical professionals to tell us if that had any impact. I haven't heard that.”

“There was a medical evaluation and I think our protocols were incredibly good there.”

Ensuring that the protocols were followed was vital for the league to guarantee Hurts received the appropriate care, Goodell said.

“The most important thing here is Jalen's health ultimately,” said Goodell.

“The protocols were followed. Our process is to make sure that's the case and our chief medical officer has gone through that so we're comfortable that what we've seen in the medical protocols happened.”

Roger Goodell on the @NFLPA’s request for an investigation into the Jalen Hurts situation: “We welcome that.” https://t.co/m67z3DkyjK

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 21, 2026

Sills said on Tuesday that he could not disclose details of the treatment due to patient privacy concerns, but Goodell expressed confidence in the quality of the NFL's medical staff.

“When you get into medical evaluations, different people have different opinions on that. You all are reporting, different people are making those evaluations, without even seeing the player, without ever seeing the medical records,” Goodell said.

“We have the greatest medical advisors and people that are working on the health of our players.”